Support pillow

ABSTRACT

A pillow to support a limb of a patient comprising first and second pillow sections joined in end-to-end relationship by a flexible web. The first pillow section has a pair of elongated, flexible, rail-like members affixed to its upper surface and defining a longitudinally extending, limb-receiving channel thereon. The first pillow section is provided with means to retain the patient&#39;&#39;s limb within the channel. The second pillow section at is free end, is provided with means for attaching it to a portion of the patient&#39;&#39;s body adjacent the limb to be supported.

United States Patent [151 3,678,926

Strittmatter 1 July 25, 1972 [54] SUPPORT PILLOW 3,232,289 2/1966Zimmerman ..l28/DlG. 15 m1 Inventor: Martha Summer, 1532 Glenbeck "333133 Z135? 35521111111111: 1128/93 Ave., Apt. #3, Dayton, Ohio 45409 [22]Filed: Sept. 16, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 72,704

[52] U.S.Cl. ..128/94, 128/89 R, 5/337 [51] Int. Cl. ..A61f 5/40 [58]Field of Search 128/94, 93, 87, 86, 85, 83, 128/82; 5/337. 338

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,753,864 7/1956 Weidemann,.lr. ..128/87 R 2,237,252 4/1941 Longfellow 128/87 R 2,187,323 l/1940Kelton et al... ...l28/87 R 2,301,534 11/1942 Goodwin ..128/87 R PrimaryExaminer-Richard A. Gaudet Assistant Examiner-J. Yasko AnorneyMelville,Strasser, Foster & Hoffman [5 7] ABSTRACT A pillow to support a limb ofa patient comprising first and second pillow sections joined inend-to-end relationship by a flexible web. The first pillow section hasa pair of elongated, flexible, rail-like members afiixed to its uppersurface and defining a longitudinally extending, limb-receiving channelthereon. The first pillow section is provided with means to retain thepatients limb within the channel. The second pillow section at is freeend, is provided with means for attaching it to a portion of thepatient's body adjacent the limb to be supported.

9 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures Patented July 25, 1912 3,678,926

I NV E N TO R/S Mmrm L. STE/7 TMA 7 me,

SUPPORT PILLOW BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION I. Field of the Invention Theinvention relates to a support, and more particularly to a pillow forsupporting the limb of a hospital patient or the like.

ll. Description of the Prior Art While the support of the presentinvention may be used in many ways, it will, for purposes of anexemplary illustration, be described in its use in association with apatients arm. There are a number of instances wherein it is important toprovide support for a patients arm. For example, in the case of cerebralvascular accident patients, it is not unusual that the use of the hand,the arm or both will be lost temporarily at least. Under thesecircumstances, it is important that the hand and arm be supported andprotected from contact by the patients body. In this way, edema andcontractions of the arm and hand can be avoided or alleviated. Inaddition, pressure against the afflicted part can be prevented. Asanother example, it is frequently desirable to provide support for thearm of a patient receiving fluids intravenously.

Heretofore, when support has been provided, it is generally accomplishedthrough the use of makeshift expedients such as through the use ofordinary pillows or the like. Under these circumstances, through thevoluntary or involuntary movement of the patients body the patient's armand hand may readily slip away form its supporting means and come torest in an undesirable position, as for example under the patients body.A

The present invention is directed to a support pillow which is easy andinexpensive to manufacture and may be readily laundered, sterilized orthe like. The support pillow is configured to captively retain thepatient's limb in contact therewith and away from the patient's body. Inthis way swelling, discoloration and discomfort of the afflicted limbcan be avoided or alleviated as can pressure against the limb by thepatient's body.

The support pillow of the present invention may also be used (by apatient suffering from a fracture or the like) as a substitute for asling while the patient rests in a seated or reclining position. It willbe understood by one skilled in the art the support pillow may also beused in association with a patient's leg in instances ofankle fracture,or the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The support pillow of the present invention isadapted to be used in association with the limbs of a patient.The'pillow comprises two pillow sections joined in end-to-endrelationship by a flexible web. One of the pillow sections has a pair ofelongated, flexible rails affixed to its upper surface in parallelspaced relationship. The rails extend longitudinally of the pillow anddefine a channel adapted to receive a portion of the patients limb.Means are provided to maintain that portion of the patients limb withinthe channel.

The other pillow section has at its free end, means by which it may beaffixed to the patients body adjacent the limb.

In the embodiment described, the means for retaining the portion of thepatients limb within the channel formed between the rails and the meansfor affixing the other pillow section to the patient's body comprisestrap-like members. The manner in which the pillows are constructed andthe material from which they are constructed does not constitute alimitation on the invention. However, the support pillow should beconstructed of materials capable of being washed and/or sterilized.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a plan view of the supportpillow of the present.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the support pillow.

FIG. 3 is an end elevational view as seen from the right in FIG. 2.

FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 illustrate the support pillow affixed to a patients'arm and in the various positions it may assume when the patient isprone.

FIG. 7 illustrates the support pillow in use by a patient in a seatedposition.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIGS. I through 3 illustratethe support pillow of the present invention. Basically, the supportpillow comprises a first pillow section generally indicated at I, asecond pillow section generally indicated at 2 and a flexible webportion generally indicated at 3,

The materials used and the precise manner in which the pillow sections Iand 2 and the flexible web portion 3 are made do not constitute alimitation on the present invention. For purposes of an exemplarYshowing, pillow section I is illustrated as made of fabric andcomprising a substantially rectangular top portion 4 and a substantiallyrectangular bottom section 5 joined together on the sides and one end bya boxing strip 6. The parts thus far described form a bag-like structurewhich may be stufied with any suitable, soft material. Thereafter, theends 6a and 6b of the boxing strip 6 are pleated or folded inwardly sothat the adjacent ends of the top and bottom portions 4 and 5 arebrought together (as is generally show at 7), thus closing the bag-likestructure.

The second pillow section may be constructed in an identical manner.This section may comprise a substantially rectangular top portion 8 anda substantially rectangular bottom portion 9, joined together by aboxing strip 10 this again forms a bag-like structure which may bestufled with appropriate material. As in the case of pillow section I,the ends and 10b of the boxing strip I0 may be pleated or foldedinwardly, causing the adjacent ends of the top section 8 and bottomsection 9 to come together. This is generally shown at I l.

The flexible web may comprise an elongated fabric strip with its rawedges turned inwardly and its ends joined so as to form a continuousband. The folded ends of the pillow sections I and 2, generallyindicated at 7 and I1, may be inserted into the continuous band andaffixed thereto by stitching. In this manner the two pillow sections 1and 2 are joined together by the flexible web or band 3.

The pillow section I has on its top portion 4 a pair of parallel, spacedrails 12 and I3. Again, the rails may be made in any suitable manner andof any appropiate material. In the embodiment described, they are shownas comprising elongated fabric elements stuffed with an appropriatematerial.

The rails 12 and I3 may be made individually and thereafter afiixed tothe top portion 4 of the pillow section I by stitching or other means.On the other hand, they may be made during the assembly of pillowsection I. In the latter instance, each rail is formed by sewing thelongitudinal edge of an elongated fabric strip to the top portion 4,spaced from the longitudinal edge thereof. Thereafter, the elongatedfabric strip is folded overto form a tube and its other longitudinaledge is sewn into and simultaneously with the seam between the topportion 4 and the adjacent portion of the boxing strip 6. At thisjuncture, the tube thus formed may be provided with its stuffing andclosed at its ends. As is indicated in FIG. 3, the ends may be sewn shutwith mitered corners and the raw edges turned inwardly.

The rails 12 and 13, in parallel spaced relationship, coact with the topportion 4 to form a longitudinally extending channel (generallyindicated at 14) on the pillow section I. This channel is intended toreceive and retain a portion of a patients limb.

As indicated above, means are provided in association with pillowsection 1 to retain the patients limb in the channel 14. While anysuitable means may be used, for purposes of an exemplary showing, pillowsection I is illustrated as provided Velcro, by the Velcro Corporationis a typical example. This last mentioned example comprises a pair ofcooperating, flexible, tape-like elements. One of the tape elements hasa surface provided with a plurality of monofilament fibers formed intopermanent hook-like members. The other tape element is provided on oneof its surfaces with a matting comprising a plurality of loop-likeelements. When the hook-bearing surface of the first tape element ispressed into contact with the loopbearing surface of the second tapeelement they will adhere together strongly,.although they may beseparated at will by simply pulling one of the tape elements away fromthe other.

In FIGS. 1 through 3, it will be noted that the rail 12 has, near itsend adjacent the web 3, a short tape section 'sewn or otherwise affixedthereto on its outside longitudinal surface. In an opposed position, therail 13 has an elongated tape 16 aflixed thereto. In an exemplary form,the tape 16 may be sewn into that seam between the top portion 4, theboxing strip 6 and the elongated tubular member forming the rail 13. Itwill be understood by one skilled in the art that one of the tapes, forexample tape 15 will have the hook-bearing surface, while the other tape16 will have the loop-bearing surface. Thus, the tape 16 may be broughtacross the top portion 4 of pillow section I and the top surfaces of therails of 12 and 13 and have its free end affixed to the tape 15.

The rails 12 and 13 may be provided with additional tape elements 17 and18, respectively. The tape element 17 is located near the opposite endof rail 12 and at the insidesurface of the rail. For example, the tapeelement 17 may be sewn into the seam between the inside surface of therail 12 and the top portion 4 of pillowsection 1. Tape section 18 willbe similarly oriented with respect to rail 13 and will lie opposite tapesection 17. Again, one of the tapes (such as tape section 17 will havethe hook-bearing surface, while tape section 18 will have theloop-bearing surface. The tape elements 17 and 18 may be joined togetheracross a portion of the patients limb, as will be described hereinafter.

As indicated above, pillow section 2 will have means thereon whereby itmay be affixed to a portion of the patients body adjacent the limb to besupported. These means may comprise self-adhering tape elements 19 and20 sewn or otherwise affixed to the boxing strip 10. The tapes 19 and 20are afiixed to the boxing strip on opposite sides of pillow section 2adjacent its free end. Again, for purposes of an exemplary showing, tape19 may be considered as that tape having the loop-bearing surface, whiletape 20 may be considered that tape having the hook-bearing surface.Tapes 19 and 20 should be of sufiicient length to pass about a portionof the patients body, as will be described hereinafter.

FIG. 4 illustrates the support pillow of FIGS. 1 through 3 in use. Likeparts have been given like index numerals. In FIG. 4, a patient(generally indicated at 21 )is shown in a prone position with his arm 22supported by the pillow of the present invention. It will be noted thatthe patients forearm is located in the channel 14 formed by rails 12 and13. Strap element 16 passes across the upper part of the forearm, whilestrap elements 17 and 18 pass over the back of the patients hand. Forbetter control of the pillow, particularly for a patient who can movehis arm and hand the strap elements 17 and 18 may pass beneath thepatients thumb, as shown.

Pillow section 2 is affixed to the patients shoulder by tape elements 19and 20. It will be noted that the flexible web 3 lies at the position ofthe elbow and pillow section 2 is fitted into the axilla. Thus, thepatients arm is firmly supported and is maintain away from his body.

With the pillow affixed to the patients body and arm, in the mannerdescribed with respect to FIG. 4, it will be apparent that the positionof the patients arm can be changed to provide more comfort and toprevent poor circulation. Thus, despite the position of the patientsarm, the arm is firmly supported and maintained away from the patientsbody.

FIGS. 5 and 6 again illustrate a patient in a prone position. TheseFigures illustrate exemplary additional positions of the patients arm.The support pillow is affixed to the patients arm and body in the samemanner described with respect to FIG. 4, and againlike parts have beengiven like index numerals. FIG. 5 illustrates the patients forearmpositioned across his body. FIG. 6 illustrates the patients forearmoriented upwardly. In both instances, it will be noted that the arm isfully supported and maintained away from the patients body. The flexibleweb 3, at the position of the patients elbow, permits the-elbow to bebent with pillow section 1 supporting the forearm and pillow section 2fitted into the axilla.

FIG. 7 illustrates the use of the support pillow of the presentinvention with a patient in a seated position. Again, like parts havebeen given like index numerals. In FIG. 7, the patients forearm has beenplaced across his lap. The flexible web 3 curves about the patientselbow and pillow section 2 is fitted into the axilla. In this instance,when desired, tapes 19 and 20 may be caused to pass over thepatientsopposite shoulder and about .his neck, as shown. This affords firmersupport for pillow section 2.

Modifications may be made in the invention without departing from thespirit of it. For example, the various tape elements may simply compriseelongated flexible ties. Similarly, the tape elements may be replacedwith elongated straps pro vided with buckles or other fastening means.The self-adhering tapes described above, have proven to be simplefastening means easy to manipulate and well suited to laundering andsterilization.

As indicated above, the manner in which the various pillow elements aremade, as well as the material from which they are made do not constitutea limitation on the present invention. The support pillow described hasbeen made of unbleached muslin stuffed with shredded foam rubber. Thesupport rails have been stuffed with elongated foam rubber blocks. Sucha construction has proven to be light in weight and sufficiently durableto withstand laundering and sterilization.

While it has not been found necessary to do so, it will be understood byone skilled in the art that it would be within the scope of the presentinvention to provide pillow section 2 with a pair of spaced railssimilar to the rails 12 and 13 on pillow section 1. It will further beunderstood that the support pillow of the present invention can beproduced in various sizesso that it may be better fitted to theparticular patient. In general, it is preferable to make pillow sectionI of greater length than pillow section 2 so that pillow section I canadequately support the forearm, while pillow section 2 may be readilyfitted into the axilla.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. An elongated pillow to support the limb of a patient, said pillowcomprising first and second flexible pillow sections joined inend-to-end relationship by a flexible web, each of said first and secondpillow sections having substantially rectangular top and bottom surfacesjoined so as to form a bag-like structure being filled with stuffingmeans, a pairjof elongated flexible rail-like members affixed to the topsurface of said first pillow section, said rail-like members defining alimb-receiving channel on the top surface of said first pillow section,means for retaining a patients limb within said'channel and means foraffixing said second pillow section to a portion of the patients bodyadjacent the limb to be supported.

2. The structure claimed in claim I wherein said rail-like members areafiixed to said top surface of said first pillow section in spacedrelationship, said rail-like members being parallel to the long axis ofsaid first pillow section, and rail-like members extending substantiallythe length of said first pillow section. 1

3. The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein said means to affix saidsecond pillow section to said portion of the patients body comprises apair of elongated, flexible strap-like elements, one end of each of saidstrap-like elements being affixed to opposite sides of said secondpillow section near that end thereof opposite said flexible web, saidstrap-like elements being of sufficient length to pass about saidportion of the patients body and have their free ends joined together.

4. The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein said means to retain thepatients limb within said channel comprises two pairs of opposed,flexible strap-like elements, a first of said pairs of strap-likeelements having one end affixed to either side of said first pillowsection outside said channel and near said end of said first pillowsection joined to said flexible web, at least one of said strap-likeelements of said first pair being of sufficient length to pass acrosssaid channel and to be joined to the other strap-like element of saidfirst pair, said second pair of strap-like elements having one endafiixed to either side of said channel within said rail-like members andnear that end of said first pillow section opposite said flexible web,said strap-like elements of said second pair being of sufficient lengthto pass over the patients limb within said channel and to have theirfree ends joined together.

5. The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein each of said first andsecond pillow sections comprises a top portion and a bottom portionjoined on two sides and an end by an elongated boxing strip so as toform a bag-like structure open at one end, each of said bag-likestructures being filled with stuffing means, said flexible webcomprising an elongated strip with its ends joined to form a continuousband, the open ends of said bag-like structures being closed andinserted into opposite ends of said band and afiixed thereto.

6. The structure claimed in claim 3 wherein said strapJike elementscomprise self-adhering tapes.

7. The structure claimed in claim 4 wherein said strap-like elementscomprise self-adhering tapes.

8. The structure claimed in claim 5 wherein said rail-like memberscomprise elongated tube-like structures affixed to the top surface ofsaid first pillow section, said tube-like structures being filled withstuffing means and closed at their ends.

9. The structure claimed in claim 8 wherein said bag-like structures,said continuous band and said tube-like structures are made ofunbleached muslin, said stutfing means for said bag-like structuresbeing shredded foam rubber and said stuffing means for said tube-likestructures being elongated foam rubber blocks.

1. An elongated pillow to support the limb of a patient, said pillowcomprising first and second flexible pillow sections joined inend-to-end relationship by a flexible web, each of said first and secondpillow sections having substantially rectangular top and bottom surfacesjoined so as to form a bag-like structure being filled with stuffingmeans, a pair of elongated flexible rail-like members affixed to the topsurface of said first pillow section, said rail-like members defining alimb-receiving channel on the top surface of said first pillow section,means for retaining a patient''s limb within said channel and means foraffixing said second pillow section to a portion of the patient''s bodyadjacent the limb to be supported.
 2. The structure claimed in claim 1wherein said rail-like members are affixed to said top surface of saidfirst pillow section in spaced relationship, said rail-like membersbeing parallel to the long axis of said first pillow section, andrail-like members extending substantially the length of said firstpillow section.
 3. The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein said meansto affix said second pillow section to said portion of the patient''sbody comprises a pair of elongated, flexible strap-like elements, oneend of each of said strap-like elements being affixed to opposite sidesof said second pillow section near that end thereof opposite saidflexible web, said strap-like elements being of sufficient length topass about said portion of the patient''s body and have their free endsjoined together.
 4. The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein said meansto retain the patient''s limb within said channel comprises two pairs ofopposed, flexible strap-like elements, a first of said pairs ofstrap-like elements having one end affixed to either side of said firstpillow section outside said channel and near said end of said firstpillow section joined to said flexible web, at least one of saidstrap-like elements of said first pair being of sufficient length topass across said channel and to be joined to the other strap-likeelement of said first pair, said second pair of strap-like elementshaving one end affixed to either side of said channel within saidrail-like members and near that end of said first pillow sectionopposite said flexible web, said strap-like elements of said second pairbeing of sufficient length to pass over the patient''s limb within saidchannel and to have their free ends joined together.
 5. The structureclaimed in claim 1 wherein each of said first and second pillow sectionscomprises a top portion and a bottom portion joined on two sides and anend by an elongated boxing strip so as to form a bag-like structure openat one end, each of said bag-like structures being filled with stuffingmeans, said flexible web comprising an elongated strip with its endsjoined to form a continuous band, the open ends of said bag-likestructures being closed and inserted into opposite ends of said band andaffixed thereto.
 6. The structure claimed in claim 3 wherein saidstrap-like elements comprise self-adhering tapes.
 7. The structureclaimed in claim 4 wherein said strap-like elements compriseself-adhering tapes.
 8. The structure claimed in claim 5 wherein saidrail-like members comprise elongated tube-like structures affixed to thetop surface of said first pillow section, said tube-like structuresbeing filled with stuffing means and closed at their ends.
 9. Thestructure claimed in claim 8 wherein said bag-like structures, saidcontinuous band and said tube-like structures are made of unbleachedmuslin, said stuffing means for said bag-like structures being shreddEdfoam rubber and said stuffing means for said tube-like structures beingelongated foam rubber blocks.